Pellegrini gets opening win with Betis, keeper error saves Sociedad against Valladolid
- 14 Sep 2020
Real Betis beat Alaves 1-0 on Sunday in their first game of the La Liga season courtesy of an injury-time goal from Cristian Tello, giving coach Manuel Pellegrini a winning start in his first game in charge of the Seville club.
Also on Sunday, Real Sociedad earned a 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid with the help of a goalkeeping howler from Jordi Masip.
Tello collected a pass following a short corner and cut inside on the edge of the area to unleash a left-footed strike which crept inside the near post.
Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made an impressive debut for Betis on his return to Spain after four years with Manchester City and did well to keep out a header from Alaves’ Rodrigo Battaglia early in the second half.
Sergio Canales had come closest for Betis with a powerful free kick which hit the crossbar before teeing up Tello for the decisive late goal, which got former Real Madrid, Malaga and Villarreal coach Pellegrini off to an ideal start on his return to Spain after stints with Manchester City and West Ham United.
Valladolid took the lead against Sociedad in the 39th minute when Michel tapped into the net following fine work by Sergi Guardiola down the wing.
But they lost their lead due to a moment of madness from keeper Masip, who let a tame free kick from Roberto Lopez slip through his hands and over the line on the hour mark.
Villarreal were in action against promoted Huesca later on Sunday, with Valencia then hosting city rivals Levante.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has tested positive for Covid-19, the club announced on Saturday.
Simeone, 50, is isolated at home and has not presented symptoms.
Atletico’s squad and staff returned early from a pre-season trip to Los Angeles de San Rafael just outside Madrid after a test on Thursday came back positive. Further tests on Friday showed Simeone had caught the virus.
“The analysis of these new samples in the laboratory has determined that our trainer, Diego Pablo Simeone, has given a positive result for Covid-19,” read the club statement.
“Fortunately, our coach does not present any symptoms and is at his home isolated and fulfilling the corresponding quarantine after being with the team since last Monday.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona will not play their first La Liga game against Villarreal until round three at the end of the month, having been granted extra time off due to their involvement in last season’s Champions League.
Reigning champions Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are also sitting out the first weekend.
Still without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, Spain’s top flight got off to a slow start at Ipurua, where Eibar finished with 10 men after Pape Diop was sent off in the 87th minute.
Granada then picked up where they left off last season by defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at Los Carmenes while newly-promoted Cadiz, back in La Liga for the first time in 14 years, lost 2-0 at home to Osasuna.
Agencies
Spanish League results on Sunday:
Alaves 0 Real Betis 1 (Tello 90+5)
Valladolid 1 (Herrero 40) Real Sociedad 1 (Lopez 60)
Villarreal 1 (Gerard 68-pen) SD Huesca 1 (Maffeo 42)
